Suction cleaner with means for automatically removing the dust container



' R. C. LAMPE SUCTION CLEANER WITH MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY Jan. 8, 1952 I I REMOVING THE DUST CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 19, 1947 mm o 0 Y 0 0 a 2 o A 2 M o o o o k o o o o o o o o v} o o u A. M a. I ll I I II I x 1 1| h. Q N\ Q. QN nm ova 1| .7 NN. QN\ K mN wN Jan. 8, .1952- Filed April 19, 1947 R. C. LAMPE SUCTION CLEANER WITH MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY REMOVING THE DUST CONTAINER 4 SheetLs-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ROBERT L. LAMPE TOMATICALLY Au AIN SUCTION CLEANER WITH REMOVING. THE Filed April 19, 1947 LAMPE MEANS FOR DUST CON Jan. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. ROBERT C LAMPE Jan. 8, 1952 2,582,046

R. C. LAMP SUCTION CLEANER WITH MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY Filed April 19, 1947 REMOVING THE DUST CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ROBERTC. ZAMPE Patented Jan. 8, 1952 SUCTION CLEANER WITH MEANS FOR AU- TOMATICALLY REMOVING THE DUST CONTAINER Robert 0. Lampe, Stamford, Conn., assignor to Electrolu Corporation, Old Greenwich, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application April 19, 1947, Serial No. 742,581

This invention relates to suction cleaners and is particularly concerned with the problem of dirt disposal in connection with cleaners in which the dirt is accumulated in receptacles positioned within the cleaner casing.

It is among the general objects of the invention to provide a novel, simple and improved cleaner in which the structural features cooperate to provide a compact structure readily adapted to economic manufacture and which is designed for simplicity of operation.

Another, object of the invention is to provide a suction cleaner in which the dirt receptacle may be, conveniently inserted and removed. s

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the receptacle when full will be automatically positioned for convenient removal from the cleaner.

A companion object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth in which automatic means function in response to variations in cleaning efiiciency' of the device for automatically initiating an operating cycle by which the dirt receptacle is disposed for convenient removal.

It is among the more specific objects of the invention to provide'a cleaner in which the dirt separating and receiving receptacles may be applied and removed without manipulating or disturbing the normal position of the of such devices.

Other objects and features of the present in-- vention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section,showing a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention, the cover for the receptacle compartment being closed;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the receptacle compartment cover open for disposal of the dust receptacley Fig. 3 is a view from the left of Fig. 1, certain parts being partially broken away; and

' Fig.. 4 is an exploded view of the actuating parts of the ejector mechanism.

While the present inventive concept'is susceptibleof various modifications and adaptations whereby the several objects and features may be used advantageously in a wide variety of struc tures, the preferred embodiment is here illustrated as a tank type suction cleaner in which a housing is adapted to be supported by a-floor or similar surface The housing is divided by a perforated bulkhead into a motor-fan unitcoinpartment and a dust separating and collecting intake hose 13 Claims. (Cl. 183,37)

receptacle compartment. mounted for movement over the supporting surface, such movement does not follow all the movements of the cleaning nozzle which is adapted to be connected to the housing by a flexible intake hose so that during the major portion of cleaning operations the housing remains stationary, whilethe nozzle is freely movable.

In broad terms the invention is concerned with a provision of a cleaner in which the hose is connected to a fixed portion of the cleaner body. An air passage extends from the hose connection to a' pivoted cover memberwhich forms a closure for the dirt receptacle compartment, lhe closure member is provided with a suction conduit therethrough whereby the motor-fan unit may apply a suction through the dust receptacle and the pivoted cover to the hose. This arrangement is such that movement of the cover so as to permit insertion or removal of the dirt receptacle will not disturb the connection of the hose with the housing. The invention is also concerned with means whereby the dirt receptacle will be moved as an incident to the cover movement so that when the cover is opened the receptacle will be positioned for convenient handling.

A further important characteristic of the present inventive concept is a provision of automatic controlmeans responsive to changes in the operating efficiency of the device so that when the cleaning efliciency drops beyond a predetermined point, as by the filling of the dirt receptacle, the cover will open and the receptacle willbe disposed for convenient removal.

Reference to the accompanying drawings may be had for a consideration of the specific structure here shown by way of illustrating the inventive concept involved. In the drawings numeral l0 indicates the cleaner housing which is horizontally supported on the floor, rug or suitable surface by spacing means such as casters llv head 12 is induced. Air thus induced throughthe housing may be conveniently discharged through. the sides of the compartment l3 through louvers 16.1 If, however, it is desired to make- While the housing is nally extending air conduit 20, the forward end of which terminates in a hose receptacle 2| to which may be applied the connector element 2:2v of the cleaning hose 23. The conduit extends longitudinally through the housing and may he formed by a dividing baffle between the external walls of the housing It and the compartments |3 and M or as a tube extending through these compartments and through the bulkhead W.

The rear end of the compartment H has an' open end fitted with rabbeted circumferential seat member which is adapted to receive, seat and seal the edge flanges of a dirt separating within the compartment |4 there is provided an apertured receptacle guiding and supporting shell l8 the forward end of which is secured to the bulkhead 2, while the opposite end is secured as by a flange H! to the seat member 25.

For closing the rear end of the compartment N there is provided a cover'member 21 hingedly associated with the body f0 through the pintle 28:, a spring 29 being provided to urge the cover 21 to a fully raised position as shown in Fig. 2 when the cover is released. Within the cover 21 there is provided a U.-.shaped air inlet tube 3|], the upper end of which registers with the rear end of the tube 28 when the cover is in closed position as shown in Fig. 1, while the opposite end of the tube 30 projects inwardly from the cover 21 to form a projection 3| which is adapted to enter the mouth of the receptacle 26 as will be hereinafter described. The cover 21 is provided with an inner sealing plate 32 which carries suitable gaskets 33 for sealing the tube 30 at its juncture with the tube 2|! and against the mouth of the receptacle 26.

When in closed position the cover 21 is re.-'

tained against the tension of the spring 29' bya catch 35 which, as will be hereinafter described, is arranged to be actuated by a solenoid 35, a Sylphon 31 and an associated switch 38 being provided to control the energization of the solenoid 36. This arrangement is adapted to provide for the automatic release of the cover when the accumulated dust in the receptacle 26 is such as to diminish'the efliciency of the cleaning operation.

' It is. desirable that when the cover is released as a result of the loading of the receptacle 25, the receptacle be moved to a position where it may be readily withdrawn fromthe cleaner. In the present device this is accomplished by means operable with, and thus as an incident to, the pivotal movement of the cover. For this purpose the cover is provided with a projection 40 to which is pivotally secured a rack 4|: in'

such manner as to provide reciprocation of the rack with movements of the cover. For details of this construction reference may be had more specifically to Fig. 4 where these parts are shown in an enlarged and exploded view. The. rack 4| meshes with a clutch pinion 42 which includes the clutch teeth 43, the pinon 42 being freely rotatable upon a pin 44 which is fixedly'mounted with respect to the body ID by extension through a bracket 45 secured to the body It, a nut 46 being provided to secure the pin in the. bracket- Adjacent the bracket 45 there is also mounted on the pin 44 a guide member 41, the flanged top 48 of which extends over the rack 4| to maintain the rack 4| in mesh with the pinion 42. Adjacent the clutch pinion 42 there is also mounted on the, pin 44 for free rotation with respect thereto a companion clutch element 50 which is urged towards clutching relation with the clutch teeth 43 by an expansion coil spring 5!, one end of which is secured to a projection 52 of the clutch element 5|]. The coil spring 5| loosely encircles the pin 44, the end 53 opposite the clutch element 50 being engaged with a projection 54 of a crank disk 55 which is also loosely mounted upon the pin 44.

To an eccentric hub 56 of the crank disk 55 there, is secured an actuating link 5'! by means of a link pin 58. The opposite end of actuator link 51 engages a lever 59 at the point 6|] (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3). The lever 55 is pivotally mounted within the housing as at 5|, while its lower end engages an ejector 62 which comprises an inverted U-shaped element, the depending armsBS of which move automatically as shown in Fig. 2 to eject the receptacle in the manner hereinafter described.

The actuator assembly shown in Fig. 4 further includes a pivoted detent 65 which is spring urged by leaf spring 66 for contact with the edge of clutch'element 50. The edges of element 55 are cut to provide a ratchet stop 61', the arrangement being such that counter-clockwise rotation of the clutch 50 will be limited by engagement of the detent 55 by the stop 67. Clockwise. rota tionof the element 50 is, however, freely permitted.

Rotary movement of the crank disk 55 is also limited by a releasable latch 10, the latch tooth 1| of which normally rests within a latch recess E2 in the periphery of the disk. Latch I5 is pivotally supported by the casing at an'intermediate point 13, and is pivotally connected at 1-4 to a link 15 which in turn engages the forward or inner end of the cover latch 35. Thus rotation of the crank disk 55 is precluded when body and are adapted to be seated within the rabbeted recess of the member 25 and clamped in this position by the closure member 2'5, thus sealing compartment M. The end is provided with a central aperture through which the end 3| of the tube 30' projects when the cover is closed, thus insuring the passage of all the air taken in through the hose 23- through the receptacle 26. The aperture of the end 80 of the receptacle .is preferably provided with a selfclosing means in the form of flexible sheets which are pushed apart and separated when the end 3| of the tube 30 is inserted and which reclose when the end is withdrawn so as to provide a self-closing receptacle. It is preferable that the receptacle including its end members he made ofginexpensive material, such aspaper so'that the bag may be disposed. of when filled without materially increasing the .cost'of the operationof the device. v I a; In operation the receptacle is positioned within the compartment l4 with its rigid end 80 seated within the rabbet of the member 25, whereupon the cover is closed and is secured in closed position by the latch 35.

Inclosing the cover 21 to bring it from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that position shown: in Fig. 1, the rack. 4| will move inwardly in the. direction of the arrow A of Fig.4; Such movement will impart a clockwise rotation as shown in Fig. 4 to the pinion 42 whereby its clutchteeth 43 will engage the teeth of the clutch element 50 tosimilarly rotate that element in clockwise direction, such rotation being permitted by the. inclination of the stop 61 whichmoves awayfrom the detent 65. The'relation of length of movement of the rack 4| and the teeth on the pinion 42 is such that movement of the cover from the open position in Fig. 2 to the closed position in Fig. 1 will impart only slightly more than one complete revolution to the pinion 42 which thus imparts only slightly more than one complete revolution to the clutchelementi 50. During such rotary movement in clockwise direction of the pinion 42 and the clutch element 50 with respect to the crank disk 55, the disk is held stationary by the virtue of the engagement of the tooth 5! in the notch 52 of the disk. However, since the clutch end of the spring. 5| is engaged with the projection 52 of the clutch element 50 while the opposite end 53 is secured to the non-rotating projection 54 of. the crank disk 55, the relative rotary movement between the elements 50 and 55-will cause the spring 5| to be loaded by a coiling action, thus storing energy to be subsequently used when the cover is released as will be hereinafter described. After the completion of a single revolution-of rotation of the clutch element 50 the spring will,

tend to rotate the-clutch element in counterclockwise direction, such rotation', however, being. precluded by the engagement of the .detent 65 with the stop 61 of the clutch element.

The switch 16 may then be depressed to energize the motor whereby air is drawn through the.

hose 23, conduit 20, tube 30 and thence through the bag and out the louvers 16. When the bag has accumulated sufiicient dirt so that it forms a resistance to the passage of air, suction within the chamber I4 increases, thereby expanding the bellows 31 which closes the switch 38 and energizes the solenoid 36. The switch 38 may also be associated with the motor circuit in such manner that the motor will be de-energized with solenoid 35 or if desired, a time delay mechanism may be utilized which will permit the motor to'.

come fully to rest before the solenoid is actuated.

'When the clutch is established for energization of solenoid 36, such energization will'a'ctuate the latch 35,- the cover will then open by means of the spring 29 whereupon it will move to the position shown in Fig. 2. Such movementof the latch 35 also moves the link 15 upwardly, thereby rocking the latch in counterclockwise direction at its pivotal point 13, thus withdrawing the tooth H from the notch 12 of the crank disk'55. If desired, lost motion may be built into the latches 35 and 12 through the link 15 so that there may be a delay between the release of the cover and the actuation of the latch Ill so as to permit the cover to come to fully opened position before the latch 10 releases the crank disk 55.. With the clutch element 50 .retained against 6 counterecldckwise rotation by'thedtent 65', it will. be seen that .theipower, stored when the cover. is closed is, such as, tojreact on the. disk 55 tending to, rotate it in clockwise direction. With the cover closed, such rotation is. prevented.

by the latch :10, but uponenergization ;of the solenoid 36 theu'link 115 will be moved to release the tooth? from the recess'12whereupon the moved outwardly during-the first half of the revolution. Such movement will engage, the flange like edges of the end which extend beyond the body of the receptacle, thus movingthe receptaclefrom its seat on the member 25 to the extended position shown in Fig. 2. Continued rotation of the disk 55 will then return;

the arms to the position shown in Fig. 1 so that the receptacle may be readily grasped by its rigid end 80 and be disposed of and a new receptacle may be placed within the chamber [4 With its; end, 80 sealingly seated .within. the rabbet 25. Upon subsequent closure of the member 21 cycle of the operation willbe repeated, thus loading the spring 51 for another subsequent rotation to the disk 55 when the cover is again released.

From the foregoing it will-be seen thatthe= present invention provides a novel, simple and. improved suction cleaner which when the dust. receptacle is so charged with dirt as'tc reduce the efliciency of the cleaner beyond a predeterw mined point the cover will be automatically opened without disturbing the connection of the suc-. tion hose and the receptacle will be automatically,

moved outwardly from the chamber- M to a position where it may be readily disposed of and the actuating mechanism will be returned to permit the insertion of the new receptacle.

It will be understood,:of course, that numerous changes and modifications of the structural'embodiment herein presented may be resorted to without departure from the invention asoutlined by the appended claims.

. WhatI claiinist V i 1. In a suction cleaner,-a casing, a dustse'pa e rating and receiving receptacle compartment .in said casing,a cover for said compartment mov-- able with respect to said casing, a pair of pivotally,

mounted arms in said casing adapted to engage and move a dust separating and receiving receptacle outwardly with respect to said compartment, and means to move said arms first outwardly and then inwardly in response to opening;

movement of said cover.

2. In a suction cleaner, a casing, a dust sepa rating and receiving receptacle compartment in said casing, a cover for said compartment movable with respect to said casing,a pairof pivotally mounted arms in said casing adapted to engage and move a dust separating and receiving receptacle outwardly with respect to said compartment, and means to move said arms first outwardly and then inwardly in response to opening movement of said cover, said means including at least one energy storing member operable uponiclosing movement of the cover to store energy for operation of said arms. 1 k

'3. In a suction cleaner, a casing having, an opening, a .dust receptacle compartment formed in casing adjacent to said open-ingya dust receptacle insertable into andr'emovable'fro'm said compartment through said opening, a member movable with respect to said casing for securing said receptacle in said compartment, structure movably mounted with respect to said casing and engageable with saidreceptacle for moving the latter outwardly through said opening, and means operable upon movement of said member to'receptacle releasing position for first moving said structure in adirection tomove said receptacle outwardly and I for then retracting said structure. v

4. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening, a dust receptacle compartment formed in sai'd' casing adjacent to said opening, a dust receptacle insertable into and removable from said compartment through said opening, a member movable with respect to said casing for securing said receptacle in said compartment, structure movably mounted with respect to said casing and engageable with said receptacle for moving the latter outwardly through said opening, means including spring means operable upon movement of said member to receptacle releasing position for first moving said structure in a direction to move said receptacle outwardly and for then retracting said structure, and means operable by movement of said member to receptacle securing position to stress said spring means.

5. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening, a dust receptacle compartment formed in said casing adjacent to said opening, a dust receptacle insertable into and removable from said compartment through said opening, a member movable with respect to said casing for securing said receptacle in said compartment, structure movably mounted with respect to said casing and engageable with said receptacle for moving the latter outwardly through said opening, and means including a single torsion spring releasable upon movement of said member to receptacle releasing position for first moving said structure in a direction to move said structure outwardly and for then retracting said structure.

6. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening, a dust receptacle compartment formed in said casing adjacent to said opening, a dust receptacle insertable intoand removable from said compartment through said opening, a member movable with respect to said casing for securing said receptacle in said compartment, structure movably mounted with respect to said casing and engageable with said receptacle for moving the latter outwardly through said opening, means including a single torsion spring releasable upon movement of said member to receptacle releasing position for first moving said structure outwardly and for then retracting said structure, and means operable by movement of said member to receptacle securing position to wind said torsion spring.

7. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening, a dust receptacle compartment formed in said casing adjacent to said opening, a dust receptacle insertable into and removable from said compartment through said opening, 'a cover for said opening pivoted to said casing, structure movably mounted within said casing and engageable with said receptacle for moving the latter outwardly through said opening, and means operable upon opening of said cover for first moving said structure to move said receptacle out wardly and for then immediately retracting said structure. I

8. In asuction cleaner, a casing having .an.

opening, a dust. receptacle compartment formed in said casing adjacent to said opening, a dust receptacle. insertable into; and removable from said compartment. through said opening, a cover ior said opening pivoted. to said casing, structure movably mounted within said casing and engageable with said receptacle for moving the latter outwardly through said opening, spring loaded means operable upon. opening of said cover for first moving said structure to move said receptacle outwardly and for then immediately retracting said structure, and means operable by movement of said cover to closed position to load said spring.

9. In a-suction cleaner, a casing having an opening, a dust receptacle compartment formed in said casing adjacent to said opening, a dust receptacle insertable into and removable from said compartment through said opening, a member pivoted to said casing adjacent to said opening for securing said receptacle in said compartment, a toothed rack movable by said member, a pinion engaged by said rack, a driving element of a one way clutch rotatable by said pinion, a driven element of said clutch rotatable by said driving element in the direction of the rotation imparted to said pinion by the movement of said rack caused by pivoting of said member to receptacle securing position, ratchet means for preventing rotation of said driven element in the opposite direction, a rotatably mounted crank member, a torsion spring connected between said driven element and said crank member, braking means for normally restraining said crank member against rotation, a pivoted arm engageable with said receptacle for moving the latter outwardly through said opening, a link'connected between said crank member and said arm for first pivoting the arm outwardly and then retracting it in response to a single revolution of said crank member, latch means for securing the firstmentioned member in receptacle securing position, and means for releasing said latch means and said braking means.

10. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening at one end thereof, a dust receptacle compartment formed in said casing adjacent to said opening, a dust receptacle insertable into and removable from said compartment through said opening, a hose connection at the opposite end of said casing from said opening, conduit means extending from said connection to said one end of said casing adjacent to said opening, a member movable with respect to said casing for securing said receptacle in said compartment, a conduit carried by said member for connecting said conduit means with the interior of said receptacle, and means responsive to increase in resistance to air flow through said dust receptacle for moving said member to receptacle releasing position and for moving said receptacle outwardly through said opening.

11. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening at one end thereof, means for movably supporting said casing on a horizontal surface, a dust receptacle compartment formed in said casing adjacent to said opening, a dust receptacle insertable into and removable from said compartment through said opening, a hose connection at the opposite end of said casing from said opening, conduit means extending from said connection to said one end of said casing adjacent to said opening, a member pivoted to said casing for securing said receptacle in said compartment, a conduit carried by said member for connecting said conduit means with the interior of said receptacle, a hose connected to said connection for pulling said cleaner over said surface and for conveying dust-laden air to said receptacle, and means responsive to increase in resistance to air flow through said dust receptacle for moving said member to receptacle releasing position and for moving said receptacle outwardly through said opening.

12. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening, a dust receptacle compartment formed in saidcasing adjacent to said opening, a dust receptacle insertable into and removable from said compartment through said opening, means for producing flow of air through said receptacle, a member movable with respect to said casing for securing said receptacle in said compartment, means responsive to an increase in resistance to air flow through said dust receptacle for moving said member to receptacle releasing position,

structure movably mounted with respect to said casing for moving the latter outwardly through said opening, and means operable upon movement of said member to receptacle releasing position for first moving said structure in a direction to move said receptacle outwardly and for then retracting said structure.

13. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening, a dust receptacle compartment formed in said casing adjacent to said opening, a dust receptacle insertable into and removable from said compartment through said opening, means for producing flow of air through said receptacle,

10 a member movable with respect to said casing for securing said receptacle in said compartment, means responsive to an increase in resistance to air flow through said dust receptacle for moving said member to receptacle releasing position,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,022,250 Lofgren Nov. 26, 1935 2,172,180 Schellens Sept. 5, 1939 2,269,480 Replogle Jan. 13, 1942 2,355,322 Nuffer Aug. 8, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain July 23, 1937 

